MPG loaded with rooftop tent? (1 Viewer)

[jhanley]

Planning a NC to CA and back trip in May. My wife, 2 boys and a roof top tent.

Trying to calculate MPG's, currently, using 13 as mean. Does anybody have data related to MPG's with rooftop tent?

 

[Howard705]

I don't but bet you may find some with roof racks/etc. Would think that your speed would make the biggest difference on the highway set up like that. Plenty of mpg threads on here. May be able to do it at bargain prices if fuel stays low.

 

[rubicondon53]

Good question... I drag a trailer weighing in at about 800lbs with gear,,, went out west and back this summer and averaged 14 MPGs ... There is a website that'll tell you where you can get ethanol free gas.. With ethanol you'll get 10 or 11 MPG.. Without ethanol as much as 16 MPG... Provided you stay under 65 mph... I have had both set ups, towing our gear trailer yielded the same MPGs as our old loaded down roof rack..

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

On a 2000+ mile trip to Colorado last summer, the 1992 3FE with roof top tent on top and bikes on the back averaged 10.6 mph the entire trip. A couple weeks later, roughly the same trip without the tent we averaged about 10.4mpg.

 

[freshspecbluegt]

Don't worry about it.

Figure best and worst case for 5000 miles it will fall in that range, done
10MPG ~500 gallons of fuel $3 a gallon or less $1500 bucks in gas
15MPG ~333 gallons of fuel $1000 bucks in gas

spend time packing and planning cool activities, sounds like a memorable family trip have fun.

 

[artech]

I always plan for around 10 mpg. She's never given less than that. Usually she don't give much more than that though...

 

[DavidinAZ]

i get 12 mpg loaded with rtt, 35's/5.29s at 65-70.

 

[jhanley]

On a 2000+ mile trip to Colorado last summer, the 1992 3FE with roof top tent on top and bikes on the back averaged 10.6 mph the entire trip. A couple weeks later, roughly the same trip without the tent we averaged about 10.4mpg.
View attachment 1004654

I'd figure more than a .2 mpg drop w/ all that drag removed? interesting...

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

It could probably be attributed to driving in wind. When I drove with the tent on, the weather conditions were more favorable.

 

[Mighty690]

65mph tops is what you need to know.

 

[ChiTown]

Mine with the tent about 10mpg, without 12mpg. Average speed on the highway 75mph. Stability is the key with driving with a tent on the roof. Make sure you're comfortable with the handling, braking, and wind influence long before you set out on a long road trip.

 

[jhanley]

Mine with the tent about 10mpg, without 12mpg. Average speed on the highway 75mph. Stability is the key with driving with a tent on the roof. Make sure you're comfortable with the handling, braking, and wind influence long before you set out on a long road trip.

2 trips to the mountains of NC will serve as trial runs, prior to embarking on our journey.

I've considered pulling a trailer, but, we're visiting lots of cities, I'd like to be able to park...

 

[coax]

Fully loaded with a full roof rack (~1700 lbs additional) I've been getting about 13-15. 15 is on the highway here in South america driving about 60mph. 13 is on the more curvy roads but with no 4low driving.

 

[RayRay27]

What's your set up. Tire size, gear ration, lift, any other added extras? I actually get better mileage when I'm loaded down with all my gear in my rig. I can get about 270 miles out of a tank of 87 octane.

 

[Booger weldz]

This thread needs pics Of roof racked tents!

 

[Corbet]

I don't have a RTT but my big Thule box does not seem to make a measurable difference in MPG for me. I generally just leave it on all ski season.

Keeping it at 65 or under makes the most difference. I'm also a regular user of ethanol free fuel. I get 1-2 MPG more with that.

 

[jhanley]

What's your set up. Tire size, gear ration, lift, any other added extras? I actually get better mileage when I'm loaded down with all my gear in my rig. I can get about 270 miles out of a tank of 87 octane.

199% stock rig. Like, really stock. No extras, aside from the rooftop tent and ARB fridge.....

 

[ChiTown]

Ask and you shall receive.

 

[jhanley]

Ask and you shall receive. View attachment 1005296 View attachment 1005297

Perfect setup...

 

[ChiTown]

Thanks, she gets me where I need to go.